CNU draws national power Mount Union in D-III football playoffs

Christopher Newport drew as big a challenge as exists in Division III football, with a first-round playoff trip to traditional power and No. 1-ranked Mount Union.

"They know Mount Union," CNU coach Matt Kelchner said of his players. "We all know. We know what's in front of us. We have a lot of work to do this week."

The Captains (6-4) will face the Purple Raiders (10-0) on Saturday at noon in Alliance, Ohio.

Mount Union (10-0) has won 10 NCAA championships, most recently in 2008, and is an overwhelming No. 1 in both polls. The Purple Raiders outscored opponents 517-45 this season and are No. 1 in the nation in scoring (51.7), scoring defense (4.5), rushing defense (37.7), pass defense (119.0) and total defense (156.7).

Sophomore quarterback Kevin Burke is the nation's leader in pass efficiency, completing 69 percent of his passes for 2,250 yards and 24 touchdowns, with just four interceptions. He leads an offense that averages 530.4 yards per game, fourth in the country.

The Purple Raiders have four backs that have rushed for at least 270 yards, led by T.J. Lattimore's 837 yards. Receivers Jasper Collins and Chris Denton have combined for 93 catches for 1,578 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Each of the past three years, the Purple Raiders have finished 14-1, losing to Wisconsin-Whitewater in the Stagg Bowl in Salem, the D-III national championship game.

Christopher Newport earned the program's ninth NCAA playoff berth in 12 seasons of existence. The Captains tied Ferrum and Maryville for the USA South Conference title, but held tiebreakers against both by winning head-to-head meetings this season.

CNU lost its regular-season finale Saturday to Methodist, 30-29, dropping its record to 6-4. No other team in the 32-team field has more than two losses.

Kelchner said that the team watched the NCAA pairings in the weight room at Ratcliffe Hall, which has multiple TVs and computer screens.

"The loudest cheer came up when they saw we didn't have to play Mary Hardin-Baylor," he said. "It was like, 'Yay, we don't have to go to Texas.'"

A date against Mount Union is hardly a consolation prize. Kelchner said the team will leave Thursday and travel partway, then complete the trip Friday.

"It's a great opportunity to go against the best team in the country," Kelchner said. "It'll be a great experience for our players."